Audio network system

ABSTRACT

A plurality of partial networks can work independently from each other, and each partial network connects together several nodes including a connection node for transmission of audio signals. A connection network connects respective connection nodes of the respective partial networks so as to connect the plurality of the partial networks with each other through the connection nodes. The connection node of the partial network operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the partial network to the connection network, for forwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network to another transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network, and operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the connection network to the partial network, for forwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network to another transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/725,785 filed Mar. 19, 2007, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio network system that is capableof connecting a variety of audio devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional technologies for audio signal communication in aProfessional Audio (PA) network system used for PA such as plays andconcerts, music production, and private broadcasting include CobraNet(registered trademark) described in Non-Patent Reference 1, SuperMAC(registered trademark) described in Non-Patent Reference 2, andEtherSound (registered trademark) described in Non-Patent Reference 3.

[Non-Patent Reference 1]

-   http://www.balcom.co.jp/cobranet.htm

[Non-Patent Reference 2]

-   http://www.sonyoxford.co.uk/pub/supermac/

[Non-Patent Reference 3]

-   http://www.ethersound.com/news/getnews.php?enews_key=101

CobraNet is a professional audio network system developed by Peak Audio,Inc (USA). CobraNet provides a technology using the standard Ethernet(registered trademark) protocol of IEEE802.3u in which uncompressedaudio signals and control signals of multiple channels are transmittedthrough the Ethernet. This technology can transmit audio data having asample rate of 48 kHz and bit width of 16, 20, and 24 bits, and canhandle the audio signals and control signals in two directions, eachhaving up to 64 channels (i.e., up to 128 channels in both directions).SuperMAC and EtherSound are similar technology for transmitting audiosignals over the Ethernet.

Audio devices having a variety of functions such as analog input, analogoutput, digital input, digital output, mixing, effecting,recording/reproducing, remote control, and a combination of any two ofthese functions can be optionally connected to an audio network thatuses the above technologies.

In any method of the various technologies that have been developed fortransmitting audio signals through the network as described above, themaximum number of channels for transmitting audio signals through thenetwork is determined based on the transfer rate of the network.Accordingly, even though the conventional technologies are designed toallow any audio devices to be connected to the network, if all thetransmission channels are already in full use, additionally connectedaudio devices cannot communicate audio signals. Thus, actually, theconventional technologies limit the number of connectable audio devices.

Further, although a console for controlling the audio devices isessential for the network connecting the audio devices, the conventionaltechnologies have not taken into consideration a process for backup atthe occurrence of a malfunction of the console. One may consider that,when a malfunction has occurred in the console, a new console isconnected to the network as a substitute for the console. However,connecting the substitute console to the network may not be permitteddue to the limitation on the number of audio devices.

In the various audio devices, often, their setting states are stored asscene data, and the scene is recalled to be set in the audio devicesthrough a simple manipulation. However, when a structure connecting thevarious audio devices to a network as described above is employed, thereis no choice but to individually store and recall scene data for eachdevice, and it is also difficult and inconvenient to manage the scenedata.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an audio network systemwhich allows use of functions of additional audio devices exceeding themaximum number of transmission channels that is determined from thespecifications of the network.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for anaudio network system capable of transmitting audio signals, that cancontinue operation and can also quickly provide a substitute consolewhen a malfunction has occurred in a console of the system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for anaudio network system capable of transmitting audio signals andconvenient to manage the scene data even when a structure connectingvarious audio devices to a network is employed.

In order to achieve the objects, the invention provides an audio networksystem including a plurality of nodes each being capable of inputting,outputting or processing an audio signal. The inventive audio networksystem comprises a plurality of partial networks that can workindependently from each other, each partial network connecting one ormore of nodes for transmission of the audio signals thereamong by usingtransmission channels in time-divisional manner, said one or more of thenodes including a partial master node and a connection node, the partialmaster node controlling the transmission of the audio signals within thepartial network, and a connection network capable of connectingrespective connection nodes of the respective partial networks so as toconnect the plurality of the partial networks with each other throughthe connection nodes, the connection network performing transmission ofthe audio signals by using transmission channels in time-divisionalmanner within the connection network, one of the connection nodes beinga connection master node for controlling the transmission of the audiosignals in the connection network. The connection node of the partialnetwork operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the partialnetwork to the connection network, for forwarding the audio signal froma transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the partialnetwork to a transmission channel to be used for carrying the audiosignal in the connection network, and operates when the audio signal istransmitted from the connection network to the partial network, forforwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used forcarrying the audio signal in the connection network to a transmissionchannel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network.A desired number of nodes can be detachably connected to each partialnetwork, and a desired number of connection nodes can be detachablyconnected to the connection network.

In one aspect of the invention, the audio network system furthercomprises a control device that performs a remote control of theplurality of the nodes involved in the audio network system whichincludes a first network and a second network connected with each otherthrough the connection node, such that one of the first and secondnetworks is a partial network and the other of the first and secondnetworks is the connection network. In case that the control device isinputted with an instruction to transmit the audio signal from a firstnode of the first network to a second node of the second network, thecontrol device performs: (1) allowing a master node of the first networkto assign a first transmission channel for transmission of the audiosignal from the first node to the connection node while allowing thefirst node to output the audio signal to the first transmission channel;(2) allowing a master node of the second network to assign a secondtransmission channel for transmission of the audio signal from theconnection node to the second node while allowing the second node toreceive the audio signal from the second transmission channel; and (3)allowing the connection node to receive the audio signal from the firsttransmission channel of the first network and then to output the audiosignal to the second transmission channel of the second network.

Preferably, the control device can be logged in by a user having anauthority associated with using and setting of at least one partialnetwork, and the control device accepts the instruction to transmit theaudio signal from the first node to the second node only when the userhas the authority of setting both of a partial network involving thefirst node and another partial network involving the second node. Thecontrol device does not accept an instruction to change the setting ofthe transmission from the first node to the second node once the settingis established, when a user logging into the control device after thesetting was established does not have an authority for setting either ofthe partial networks associated to the first node and the second node.

Preferably, the control device is connected to a node which is connectedto both the first network and the second network to perform the remotecontrol via the node. Alternatively, the control device is connected toat least one of the first network and the second network to perform theremote control.

In another aspect of the invention, the inventive audio network systemfurther comprises a console connected to a partial network forcontrolling each node of the partial network, such that each nodeconnected to the partial network operates according to an instructionfrom the console of the partial network. When the console becomes absenton the partial network, another console on another partial networkconnected through the connection network is allowed to operate as theconsole of the partial network.

Alternatively, the inventive audio network system further comprises oneor more of consoles connected to a partial network for controlling eachnode of the partial network, one of the consoles operating as a masterconsole of the partial network, such that each node connected to thepartial network operates according to an instruction from the consolethat operates as the master console of the partial network. When themaster console becomes absent on the partial network, another console onthe partial network is allowed to operate as the master console if saidconsole is present on the partial network, and an console on anotherpartial network connected through the connection network is allowed tooperate as the master console of the partial network if no other consoleis present on the partial network.

In a further aspect of the invention, a node on each partial networkincludes storage means for storing a plurality of presets, each presetincluding setting information of the partial network. The audio networksystem further comprises a control device that operates when a user hasissued an instruction to recall a scene associated to a partial network,for reading a preset corresponding to the scene stored in the storagemeans of the partial network and setting each node of the partialnetwork according to the read preset, and the control device operateswhen a user has issued an instruction to recall a scene associated to aplurality of partial networks, for reading a preset corresponding to thescene stored in the storage means of each of the plurality of thepartial networks and setting each node of the plurality of the partialnetworks according to the read presets.

Preferably, in case that the read preset includes transmission of theaudio signal over two of the plurality of the partial networks, thecontrol device sets a connection transmission channel for performing thetransmission of the audio signal between the connection nodes of the twopartial networks under control of the connection master node.

Preferably, the control device accepts the instruction to recall thescene of the two or more partial networks if a user having an authorityto perform setting of the two or more partial networks inputs theinstruction to the control device.

The present invention allows audio signals to be transmitted betweenpartial networks, thereby realizing an audio network system which allowsuse of functions of extra audio devices in addition to the maximumnumber of transmission channels of audio signals that is determined fromthe specifications of each partial network.

According to the invention, when a malfunction has occurred in a consoleof an audio network system capable of transmitting audio signals, thesystem can quickly provide a substitute console. Even at the moment whenthe malfunction occurs, each node continues operation and thus itsoperation as an audio device is not interrupted.

According to the invention, even when a structure connecting variousaudio devices to a network is employed in an audio network systemcapable of transmitting audio signals, it is not necessary toindividually store and recall the scene data for each device, and it isalso easy and convenient to manage the scene data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed configuration of a node device such as amixing engine, and a console connected to a node device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example overall configuration of an audio networksystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example transmission format used in partialnetworks and connection network of the inventive network system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of amixer system that is constructed by node devices of partial networks.

FIG. 5 shows an external appearance of an operating panel of a consolethat is used in an audio system of the partial network.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c illustrate input and output patch setting screens and alogin screen of the operating panel.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate examples of screens for storing andrecalling scene data.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a line connection procedure executed in amaster console.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b are flow charts of a regular-interval procedure and amaster switching event procedure executed in each slave console.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b illustrate a registration change procedure executedin a node and a console, and a registration screen, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a recall event procedure executed in a masterconsole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed configuration of a node 100 of a devicesuch as a mixing engine and a console 130 connected to the device in anaudio network system according to an embodiment of the invention. Thenode 100 of the device such as a mixing engine includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 101, a flash memory 102, a random access memory(RAM) 103, a communication input/output interface (COM I/O) 104, a cardinput/output interface (I/O) unit 105, a signal processor (DSP) 106, apartial network interface (Net I/O) 107, and a bus line 109. Aconnection network interface (Net I/O) 108 will be described later.

The CPU 101 is a processing device that controls overall operations ofthe device of the node 100. The flash memory 102 is a nonvolatile,rewritable storage device that stores programs to be executed by the CPU101, a variety of data, and the like. The RAM 103 is a volatile memoryinto which a program to be executed by the CPU 101 is loaded or which isused as a variety of work areas. The COM I/O 104 is an interfaceconnected to a communication cable for communication with the console130 or other device such as a PC.

The card I/O unit 105 is a unit that has a plurality of card slots (cardinsertion holes). Examples of the cards for insertion include a DSP cardthat performs signal processing such as mixing of digital audio signals,an analog input card that receives and converts analog audio signalsinto digital audio signals, an analog output card that converts digitalaudio signals into analog audio signals and outputs the analog audiosignals, and a digital I/O card that performs input and outputoperations of digital audio signals. The type of cards (which mayinclude different types of cards) inserted in the card I/O unit 105determines the functions of the device of the node 100. For example,when DSP cards are inserted in all the slots, this node becomes a nodeof a mixer that mainly performs signal processing such as mixing ofaudio signals. In addition, when analog or digital I/O cards areinserted, the node 100 becomes a node that performs input/outputoperations of analog or digital signals. FIG. 1 shows an example where aDSP card A, a DSP card B, an analog input (Ain) card C, and an analogoutput (Aout) card D are inserted in the slots 111 to 114 to accomplishanalog signal input/output and mixing processes using only the device ofthe node 100. Although only four slots 111 to 114 are illustrated, it ispossible to design any number of slots. Reference numeral “115” denotesa signal bus through which audio signals are exchanged between the cardsinserted in the slots. “116” denotes a control bus through which controlsignals are exchanged.

The DSP 106 mainly performs a function to control exchange of audiosignals between the cards inserted in the card I/O unit 105 and the NetI/O 107. Particularly, when performing communication of signals with adevice of another node through a partial network which will be describedin detail later, it is necessary to comply with a protocol specified inthe partial network. Processes such as control of signal input andoutput timings and processing of signals according to the protocol areperformed by a cooperation of the DSP 106 and the Net I/O 107. The NetI/O 107 is an interface for connecting this device to the partialnetwork.

As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 2, thenetwork system of this embodiment includes a connection network forconnecting a plurality of partial networks with each other. Referencenumeral “108” denotes a connection network interface (connection NetI/O) that is included in the node 100 when the node 100 is a node(hereinafter referred to as a connection node) which connects thepartial network and the connection network. The connection Net I/O 108is unnecessary when the node 100 is connected to the partial network andis not connected to the connection network. Although the Net I/Os 107and 108 are interfaces of the same communication scheme in this example,they may be of different communication schemes. The DSP 106 and the NetI/Os 107 and 108 may also be implemented as communication cards that areinserted in the slots 111 to 114.

The console 130 includes a CPU 131, a flash memory 132; a RAM 133, adisplay unit 134, operators 135, electric faders 136, a COM I/O 137, aDSP 138, an audio I/O 139, and a bus line 140. The CPU 131 is aprocessing unit that controls overall operations of the console 130. Theflash memory 132 is a storage device that stores programs to be executedby the CPU 131, a variety of data, and the like. The RAM 133 is avolatile memory which is used as a program load area or a variety ofwork areas. The display unit 134 is a display that is mounted on anexternal panel of the console 130 to display a variety of information.The electric faders 136 are operators that are mounted on the externalpanel of the console 130 to set a variety of parameter values. Theoperators 135 are a variety of operators mounted on the external panelof the console 130. The COM I/O 137 is an interface connected to acommunication cable for allowing this console 130 to communicate withthe node 100 such as a mixing engine. The DSP 138 performs a variety ofprocesses for receiving signals that are input and output through theCOM I/O 137. The audio I/O 139 is an input/output interface formonitoring audio signals or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example overall configuration of the audio networksystem of this embodiment. Nodes 211 to 214 and consoles 215 and 216 areinstalled as audio equipment of a hall A201. Each of the nodes 211 to214 is a device having the same configuration as that of theabove-mentioned node 100 of FIG. 1. Each of the nodes 211 to 214performs specific audio processing functions through specific cardsinserted in each of the nodes 211 to 214. The nodes 211 to 214 areconnected to each other through a partial network A217 to construct as awhole a mixer system in the hall A201. The functional configuration ofthe mixer system constructed as a whole in the hall A201 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. The nodes 211 to 214 will now bedenoted by “A1” to “A4” to indicate that they are nodes of the partialnode A. One of a plurality of nodes connected to each partial networkserves as a master node of the partial network to perform audio signaltransmission control in the partial network such as transmission cycletiming control, transmission resource allocation, and the like. Themaster node stores and manages configuration information of each deviceconnected to the partial network. The configuration information includesinformation of which nodes are connected to the partial network,information of which cards are inserted into a device of each node,information of which nodes are connected to consoles, and the like.Symbol “A1(M)” attached to the node 211 indicates that the node A1 is amaster node of the current partial network A. Cards which may beinserted into the slots of the node 100 include a card the function ofwhich has been determined such as an analog input card and amultifunctional card such as a DSP card that can be used for any of amixer, an effector, and an insertion portion. However, it is assumedherein that one function has been determined for each card by setting itthrough DIP switches or the like or by setting it through aninstallation operation when inserting the card.

Reference numeral “215” denotes a console (Con) that is connected to thenode A3 and “216” denotes a console that is connected to the node A4.When a plurality of consoles is connected in a mixer system constructedof devices of nodes connected to one partial network, one of theconsoles is set as a master and the other consoles are set as slaves. Inthe mixer system A of the partial network A of FIG. 2, the console 215is a master console. To indicate this, the console 215 is denoted by“Con(M)” in FIG. 2. Four mixer systems are constructed in associationrespectively with four partial networks A to D in FIG. 2. As will bedescribed later, each mixer system can use as its components not onlydevices connected to a corresponding partial network but also devices ofanother partial network connected to the connection network. A pluralityof devices which constructs each mixer system is controlled by a controlsignal from its master console. That is, each master console controlsthe entirety of a mixer system constructed on a corresponding partialnetwork. Each slave console can transfer a setting operation performedusing its operating panel to a corresponding master console (Extensionof Operating Panel of Master Console). In addition, the slave consolecan receive a variety of instruction signals output from the masterconsole to perform the same operations as those internally performed bythe master console and, when some error occurs in operations of themaster console, the slave console can be raised to the status of themaster console to take over the operations of the master console(Buffering of Master Console).

Similarly, nodes 221 to 223 (B1 to B3) and a console 224 are installedas audio equipment of a studio B202. Devices of these nodes B1 to B3 areconnected to a partial network B225 to construct as a whole a mixersystem in the studio B202. The node B3 is set as a recorder that canperform digital recording of audio signals. The console 224 is a masterconsole since it is the only console in the mixer system constructed onthe partial network B. Similarly, nodes 231 to 235 (C1 to C5) and aconsole 236 are installed as audio equipment of a hall C203 to constructa mixer system on a partial network C. In addition, a node 241 (D1) anda console 242 are installed as audio equipment of a Preparatory RoomD204 to construct a mixer system on a partial network D.

The connection network 200 is a higher network for connecting thepartial networks A, B, C, and D to each other. The connection network200 is connected to the master node A1(M) of the partial network A, themaster node B1(M) of the partial network B, the master node C1(M) of thepartial network C, and the master node D1(M) of the partial network D.These nodes A1(M), B1(M), C1(M), and D1(M) are connection nodes from theviewpoint of the fact that they are connected to the connection network200. The master nodes of the partial networks are not necessarily set asthe connection nodes. However, when the master nodes of the partialnetworks are set as the connection nodes, it is possible to achieve morestable transmission of audio signals in each partial network since themaster nodes determine communication timings of the partial networks.One of the connection nodes, for example the node B1(M), is set as amaster node of the connection network 200, which will be referred to asa connection master, to perform transmission control of audio signals inthe connection network such as transmission cycle timing control,transmission resource allocation, and the like. The connection master isa node that performs communication control in the connection networksuch as allocation of transmission resources used for transmission ofaudio signals through the connection network 200.

Although the partial and connection networks may use the same ordifferent protocols since they are networks independent of each other,it is assumed herein that the partial and connection networks use aprotocol that can transmit audio signals of a specific number ofchannels on a time division basis in almost real time and can alsotransmit control signals on a time division basis at the same time. Thepartial and connection networks may use any of a variety of conventionalmethods for transmitting audio signals, for example, mLAN (registeredtrademark), CobraNet (registered trademark), and HyperMAC (registeredtrademark).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example transmission format in partial andconnection networks in the system of this embodiment. Reference numeral“301” denotes transmission frames 311, 312, 313, . . . which aresequentially transmitted as time “t” (denoted by arrow “302”) passes.One frame has a fixed length of, for example, about tens to hundreds ofmicro seconds. It is desirable that the frame length be a samplingperiod of sampling clocks used in the system times “n” which is aninteger equal to or greater than 1. In this case, a master node of eachnetwork also operates as a word clock master that determines a samplingclock of audio signals in the network. A front portion 321 of one frameis a time interval that is assigned for transmission of audio signals(music waveform samples) of a specific number of channels. FIG. 3 showsan example format which has a front portion 321 divided into timeintervals 330-1 to 330-128 and thus can transmit audio signals of 128channels. Each of the time intervals 330-1 to 330-128 corresponds to onetransmission channel. One waveform sample or a specific number ofwaveform samples can be set in one transmission channel, for example inthe time interval 330-1. One transmission channel is used to transmitaudio signals corresponding to one channel. The number of transmissionchannels that can be assigned and the number of waveform samples thatcan be included in the intervals of the channels in one frame may bedetermined arbitrarily according to required specifications of thenetwork. When the number of transmission channels is set to be large andthe number of samples that can be transmitted through one frame is setto be large, a network band corresponding to the large numbers oftransmission channels and samples is required so that high-performancehardware is required. A rear-side time interval 322 of one frame isallocated to transmit control data.

Using the transmission format as shown in FIG. 3 as a basic format, thepartial networks A, B, C, and D can be designed to be able to use, forexample, 128 channels, 128 channels, 256 channels, and 64 channels,respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the connection network200 can be designed to use 512 transmission channels. That is, of thenetworks, the connection network 200 has the largest band, the partialnetworks A and B have the next largest band, and the partial network Dhas the smallest band.

Transmission channels of each network are assigned under control of amaster node of the network. For example, when a first node in thepartial network A desires to transmit an audio signal to a second node,the first or second node which desires to perform this communicationrequests the master node A(M) to assign a transmission channel and themaster node A(M) then assigns one of the transmission channels 330-1 to330-128 of FIG. 3 in response to the request and notifies the requestingnode of the assigned transmission channel. When the requesting node isthe first node, the first node notifies the second node of thetransmission channel to be used and, when the requesting node is thesecond node, the second node notifies the first node of the transmissionchannel. The transmitting-side first node then outputs the audio signalto the partial network A by incorporating it into the transmissionchannel. The receiving-side second node receives the audio signalthrough the transmission channel of the network A. The same processesfor assigning a transmission channel and transmitting an audio signalusing the transmission channel are performed when connection nodescommunicate with each other through the connection node 200.

Although the example format illustrated in FIG. 3 transmits audio andcontrol signals on a time division basis, audio and control signals maybe transmitted separately through separately installed network lines foraudio and control signals.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of themixing system that the devices of the nodes A1 to A4 of the partialnetwork A of FIG. 2 construct as a whole. Reference numerals 401 to 403denote input units of audio signals. An input patch 406 performsarbitrary line connection for inputting input signals received throughthe input units 401 to 403 to input channels of an input channel portion407 including 24 channels and an input channel portion 408 including 48channels. Each input channel of the input channel portions 407 and 408can perform a variety of signal processing such as equalization anddynamics. Signals of each input channel of the input channel portions407 and 408 can be selectively output to arbitrary mixing buses of a MIXbus portion 410 including 36 mixing buses MIX1 to MIX36. Each mixing busof the MIX bus portion 410 can mix signals input from the input channelportions 407 and 408. Signals mixed on each mixing bus of the MIX busportion 410 are output to an output channel corresponding to the mixingbus, i.e., to one output channel of output channel portions 411 and 412.Outputs of the output channel portions 411 and 412 are output to anoutput patch 413. The output patch 413 performs arbitrary lineconnection of output channels of the output channel portions 411 and 412to an output system. Reference numerals “414” to “416” denote audiosignal output units. An insertion portion 409 performs a function toextract a signal from one input channel of the input channel portion 408and perform a variety of effects processes on the extracted signal usinga DSP and then to return the processed signals to the input channel ofthe input channel portion 408.

Symbols “A1”, “A2”, “A3”, and “A4” in parentheses attached to someblocks in FIG. 4 illustrate which nodes realize functions of the blocksin the partial network A of FIG. 2. For example, since “A1” inparentheses is attached to the input unit 401, it can be seen that thefunction of the input unit 401 is implemented by the node A1 of thepartial network A of FIG. 2. Similarly, the node A1 realizes thefunctions of the input channel portion 407, the output channel portion411, and the output unit 414. The node A2 realizes the functions of theinput unit 402 and the insertion portion 409 (including 10 units). Thenode A3 realizes the functions of the input unit 403, the input channelportion 408, and the output unit 415. The node A4 realizes the functionsof the output channel portion 412 and the output unit 416. Any of thenodes which perform the functions of the input units 401 to 403 has aslot in which an audio signal input card is inserted. Any of the nodeswhich perform the functions of the output units 414 to 416 has a slot inwhich an audio signal output card is inserted. Any of the nodes whichperform the functions of the input channel portions 407 and 408 and theoutput channel portions 411 and 412 has a slot in which a DSP card isinserted. FIG. 4 does not illustrate which devices realize the functionsof the other blocks (i.e., the input patch, the output patch, the buses,and the connection patch) since these functions are implemented byindividually assigning them to nodes or networks for each line throughwhich an audio signal passes.

In addition, the audio network system of this embodiment allows an audiosystem constructed on one partial network to use functions of nodes ofanother partial network. For example, the audio system of the partialnetwork A uses the function of the input unit 404 of FIG. 4 althoughthis function is implemented by the node C5 installed in the hall C.Exchange of audio signals between a node of the partial network A andthe node C5 of the partial network C is performed through the partialnetwork A, the connection network 200, and the partial network C. Theconnection patch 405 indicates line connection through the connectionnetwork 200. Similarly, line connection of output signals of specificoutput channels to a recorder unit 418, which is implemented by the nodeB3 of the partial network B, is performed through the output patch 413and the connection patch 417. Similarly, an audio system constructed onone partial network can use functions of any blocks, other than theinput and output units, of nodes of another partial network.

The input patch 406 of FIG. 4 will now be described in detail. Althoughthe input patch 406 is a functional block that performs line connectionbetween any input port of the input units 401 to 404 and any inputchannel of the input channel portions 407 and 408, the input patch 406is not necessarily implemented by one node. The cases where lineconnection is performed are divided into three cases: (1-1) lineconnection is performed within one node in the same partial network;(1-2) line connection is performed between different nodes in the samepartial network; and (1-3) line connection is performed between nodes ofdifferent partial networks. The three cases are described below.

(1-1) As an example of the case where line connection is performedwithin one node in the same partial network, there is presented a casewhere the master console 215 is operated to perform line connection fromone input signal received through one input port of the input unit 401to one input channel of the input channel portion 407, i.e., wheresignal transfer is performed within the same node A1. When it is assumedin the configuration of FIG. 1 that the Ain card C inserted in the slot113 corresponds to the input unit 401 and the DSP card A inserted in theslot 111 corresponds to the input channel portion 407, line connectionof the input patch 406 is implemented in the following manner. Accordingto an instruction of the master console 215, the CPU 101 of the node A1assigns a B transmission channel of the signal bus 115 (including atransmission frame, a transmission band, a time slot, and the like) andsets the Ain card C so as to transmit the signal of the input unit 401to the signal bus 115 using the assigned B transmission channel, and theCPU 101 of the node A1 sets the DSP card A so as to receive thetransmitted signal from the signal bus 115 and then to provide thereceived signal to a process of a corresponding channel in the inputchannel portion 407 that is running in the node A1.

(1-2) As an example of the case where line connection is performedbetween different nodes in the same partial network, there is presenteda case where the master console 215 is operated to perform lineconnection from one input signal received through one input port of theinput unit 401 to an input channel of the input channel portion 408,i.e., where a signal is transferred from the node A1 to the node A3using a transmission channel of the partial network A. In this case,when a line connection instruction is issued, the master console 215 ofthe partial network A allows the node A1, which is a master node, toassign an NA transmission channel (including a transmission frame, atransmission band, a time slot, and the like) and instructs thetransmitting-side node A1 to transmit the signal of the input unit 401to the partial network A using the assigned NA transmission channel andthe master console 215 of the partial network A instructs thereceiving-side node A3 to receive the transmitted signal and provide itto a process of a corresponding channel in the input channel portion408. When the node A1 has received the instruction, the CPU 101 in thenode A1 assigns a B transmission channel of the signal bus 115 and setsthe Ain card C and the DSP 106 so as to transmit the signal of the inputunit 401 to the DSP 106 using the B transmission channel and sets theDSP 106 and the Net I/O 107 so as to transmit the signal to the partialnetwork A using the NA transmission channel. Here, let us assume thatthe DSB card B that runs the input channel portion 408 is inserted inthe slot B. Then, when the node A3 has received the instruction, the CPU101 in the node A3 sets the DSP 106 and the Net I/O 107 so as to receivethe transmitted signal from the partial network A and then assigns a Btransmission channel of the signal bus 115 and sets the DSP 106 and theDSP card B so as to transmit the received signal from the DSP 106 to theDSP card B using the B transmission channel. Line connection from theinput port of the Ain card C (i.e., the input unit 401) of the node A toa process of a corresponding channel in the input channel portion 408 ofthe DSP card B of the node A3 is implemented in the above manner.

(1-3) As an example of the case where line connection is performedbetween nodes of different partial networks, there is presented a casewhere the master console 215 is operated to perform line connection fromone input signal received through one input port of the input unit 404to an input channel of the input channel portion 408, i.e., where asignal is transferred from the node C5 to the node A3. In this case,when a line connection instruction is issued, the master console 215 ofthe partial network A allows the master node A1 to assign an NAtransmission channel of the partial network A, the master node C1 toassign an NC transmission channel of the partial network C, and theconnection master B1 to assign an NI transmission channel of theconnection network. The master console 215 then instructs thetransmitting-side node C5 to transmit the signal of the input unit 404to the partial network C using the assigned NC transmission channel andinstructs the node C1(M), which relays the signal, to receive the signaland then to transmit it to the partial network A using the assigned NAtransmission channel and then instructs the receiving-side node A3 toreceive and provide the signal to a process of a corresponding channelof the input channel portion 408. When the node C5 has received theinstruction, the CPU 101 in the node C5 assigns a B transmission channeland sets the Ain card, the DSP 106, and the Net I/O 107 to transmit thesignal from the input unit 404 to the DSP 106 and then to transmit thesignal to the partial network C using the NC transmission channel. Whenthe node C1(M) has received the instruction, the CPU 101 in the nodeC1(M) sets the Net I/O 107, the DSP 106, and the Net I/O 108 to receivethe signal from the partial network C and then to transmit the signal tothe connection network using the NI transmission channel. When the nodeA1(M) has received the instruction, the CPU 101 in the node A1(M) setsthe Net I/O 108, the DSP 106, and the Net I/O 107 to receive the signalfrom the connection network and then to transmit the signal to thepartial network A using the NA transmission channel. When the node A3has received the instruction, the CPU 101 in the node A3 sets the NetI/O 107, the DSP 106, and the DSP card to receive the signal from thepartial network A and then to transmit the signal from the DSP 106 tothe input channel portion 408. Line connection from the port of theinput unit 404 of the node C5 to a port of a corresponding channel inthe input channel portion 408 that is running in the node A3 isimplemented in the above manner along a path of node C5→(partial networkC)→connection node C1(M)→(connection network)→connection nodeA1(M)→(partial network A)→node A3.

As described above, the connection node of the partial network operateswhen the audio signal is transmitted from the partial network to theconnection network, for forwarding (passing) the audio signal from atransmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the partialnetwork to another transmission channel to be used for carrying theaudio signal in the connection network, and operates when the audiosignal is transmitted from the connection network to the partialnetwork, for forwarding (passing) the audio signal from a transmissionchannel used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network toanother transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal inthe partial network. Stated otherwise, the connection node operates whenthe audio signal is transmitted from the partial network to theconnection network, for switching a transmission channel used forcarrying the audio signal in the partial network to another transmissionchannel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the connectionnetwork, and operates when the audio signal is transmitted from theconnection network to the partial network, for switching a transmissionchannel used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network toanother transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal inthe partial network.

In the case (1-3), transmission in the partial network C is unnecessaryif the input unit 404 is implemented by the connection node C1(M) ratherthan the node C5. Similarly, transmission in the partial network A isunnecessary if the input channel portion 408 is implemented by theconnection node A1(M) rather than the node A3.

The user can arbitrarily perform the above-mentioned line connectionsetting for the input patch 406 while viewing a specific screen on theconsole. According to a line connection setting instructed by the user,the console instructs CPUs 101 of nodes needed in each of theabove-mentioned cases (1-1) to (1-3) to load microprograms into DSPs 106of the nodes. The microprograms include microprograms that cause thenodes to run their DSPs 106 to implement the above operations in thecases (1-1) to (1-3).

The MIX bus portion in FIG. 4 will now be described in detail. A mixingprocess on each mixing bus of the MIX bus portion 410 is performed bythe same DSP card of the same node as that which performs processes ofan output channel corresponding to the bus in order to minimize asetting change process required when changing the routing from an inputchannel to a mixing bus. For example, a mixing result of the first ofthe 36 mixing buses of the MIX bus portion 410 is output to the firstoutput channel of the output channel portion 411, a mixing result of thesecond of the 36 mixing buses of the MIX bus portion 410 is output tothe second output channel of the output channel portion 411, and so on.Accordingly, the cases where routing from an input channel to a mixingbus is implemented are divided according to which node implements theinput channel, which mixing bus receives the signal of the inputchannel, and which node implements the mixing bus in the same manner asdescribed above with the input patch 406. That is, the cases where therouting is implemented are divided into three cases: (2-1) the inputchannel portion, the MIX bus portion, and the output channel portion areimplemented within one node in the same partial network; (2-2) the inputchannel portion is implemented in a first node of the same partialnetwork and the MIX bus portion and the output channel portion areimplemented in a second node thereof; and (2-3) the input channelportion is implemented in a node of a first partial network and the MIXbus portion and the output channel portion are implemented in a secondpartial network different from the first partial network. The threecases are described below. In order to reduce consumption oftransmission resources of the network and transmission buses, part ofthe mixing process of each bus may be performed by the same DSP card ofthe same node as that of an input channel portion which outputs a signalto the bus.

(2-1) As an example of the case where the input channel portion, the MIXbus portion, and the output channel portion are implemented within onenode in the same partial network, there is presented a case where themaster console 215 is operated (i.e., a MIX1 Send button of the firstinput channel is turned on) to output a signal of the first inputchannel of the input channel portion 407 to the first mixing bus MIX1,i.e., where routing from an input channel to a mixing bus is performedwithin the same node A1. When it is assumed in the configuration of FIG.1 that the DSP card A inserted in the slot 111 corresponds to the inputchannel portion 407, the DSP card B inserted in the slot 112 correspondsto the mixing bus MIX1 and the output channel portion 411, routing fromthe first input channel to the first mixing bus is implemented in thefollowing manner. The CPU 101 assigns a B transmission channel of thesignal bus portion 115 and sets the DSP card A so as to transmit aresulting signal of the processing of the first input channel to thesignal bus portion 115 using the assigned B transmission channel andsets the DSP card B so as to receive the transmitted signal from thesignal bus portion 115 and then to provide the signal to a process ofthe processing of the first mixing bus (and the first output channel)that is running internally. When processes of the first mixing bus MIX1and the first output channel (together with the process of the firstinput channel) are performed in the DSP card A, it is only necessary toperform setting for routing from the first input channel to the firstmixing bus MIX1 in the DSP card A and it is unnecessary to performsetting for signal transfer between cards through the signal bus portion115. In the above manner, the output signal of the first input channelis input to the process of the first mixing bus MIX1. The first mixingbus MIX1 mixes the input signal with another input signal and outputsthe mixed signal to a process of the first output channel.

(2-2) As an example of the case where the input channel portion isimplemented in the first node of the same partial network and the MI busportion and the output channel portion are implemented in the secondnode, there is presented a case where the master console 215 is operated(i.e., a MIX13 Send button of the first input channel is turned on) tooutput a signal of the first input channel of the input channel portion407 to the 13th mixing bus MIX13, i.e., where routing from an inputchannel of the node A1 to a mixing bus of the node A4 is performed. Inthis case, when an instruction to perform setting for this routing isissued, the master console 215 assigns an NA transmission channel to thenode A1 that is a master node and instructs the transmitting-side nodeA1 to transmit the signal of the first input channel to the partialnetwork A using the assigned NA transmission channel and also toinstruct the receiving-side node A4 to receive the transmitted signaland then to provide the signal to a process of the 13th mixing busMIX13. When the node A1 has received the instruction, the CPU 101 in thenode A1 assigns a B transmission channel of the signal bus 115 and setsthe Ain card Ca and the DSP 106 so as to transmit the signal of theinput channel 407 to the DSP 106 using the B transmission channel andalso sets the DSP 106 and the Net I/O 107 to transmit the signal to thepartial network A using the NA transmission channel. Here, let us assumethat the DSB card B that runs the 13th mixing bus MIX13 and the 13thoutput channel is inserted in the slot B. Then, when the node A4 hasreceived the instruction, the CPU 101 in the node A4 sets the DSP 106and the Net I/O 107 so as to receive the transmitted signal from thepartial network A and then assigns a B transmission channel of thesignal bus portion 115 and sets the DSP 106 and the DSP card B so as totransmit the received signal from the DSP 106 to the DSP card B usingthe B transmission channel. In this manner, the output signal of thefirst input channel of the node A1 is input to the process of the 13thmixing bus MIX13. The 13th mixing bus MIX13 mixes the input signal withanother input signal and outputs the mixed signal to the 13th outputchannel.

(2-3) As an example of the case where the input channel portion isimplemented in a node of a first partial network and the MIX bus portionand the output channel portion are implemented in a second partialnetwork different from the first partial network, there is presented acase where the master console 215 is operated (i.e., a MIXb04 Sendbutton of the 25th input channel is turned on) to output a signal of the25th input channel of the input channel portion 408 that is implementedby the node A3 of the partial network A to a b04th mixing bus MIXb04that is implemented by the node B2 of the partial network B, i.e., whererouting from the input channel of the node A3 to the mixing bus of thenode B2 is performed. The configuration shown in FIG. 4 is not appliedin this case. This case is basically similar to the case (2-2). However,this case differs from the case (2-2) in that signal transmission isperformed through the connection network. The signal transmissionthrough the connection network is similar to that described above in theexample of (1-3) of the input patch 406.

Although the user can perform operations for setting for the input patchand the routing in the mixer system A described above while viewing aspecific screen on the master console 215, they can also perform thesame setting operations on the slave console 216. However, when the userperforms the setting operations on the slave console 216, the slaveconsole 216 does not control the mixer system A and, instead, a settingoperation performed on the slave console 216 is transferred to themaster console 215 through the partial network A and the master console215 controls the mixer system A according to the setting operation. Thatis, the master console A controls the mixer system A, regardless of theconsole on which the user performs setting operations.

Although the above description has been given of the input patch 406 andthe MIX bus portion 410, signal transfer of the output patch 413 issimilar to that of the input patch 406 and signal transfer between theinput channel portion 408 and the insertion portion 409 is also similarto that of the input patch 406.

In the audio network system of this embodiment, mixer systems (audiosystems) constructed of partial nodes exchange audio or control signalswith each other through connection nodes, thereby achieving expansion ofa variety of functions. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 2,there may be a desire to reproduce sound that is recorded in a recorderwhen a performance is played to generate the sound in the hall A.Conventionally, it is necessary to take a recorder to the hall A andthen to connect the recorder to the partial network A or to one of thedevices of the nodes connected to the partial network A. In the systemof this embodiment, the recorder 223 of the node B3 is connected to thepartial network B of the studio B202. Accordingly, under the control of,for example, the console 215 of the system of the partial network A, thesound reproduced by the recorder 223 of the node B3 can be received fromthe recorder 223 along a path of the partial network B, the master nodeB1 of the partial network B, the connection network 200, the master nodeA1 of the partial network A, and the partial network A. The master nodeA1 can output audio signals of the reproduced sound received from therecorder 223 to any output device. This allows function expansion tomake it possible to use the system of the hall A without additionallyconnecting a recorder to the partial network A.

Similarly, function expansion is performed using the connection networkin a variety of scenes. For example, when the mixer system of the hall Aalone does not provide sufficient resources, the mixer system of thehall A operates in combination with the functions of the mixer system ofthe studio B or the hall C, thereby performing processes as if it is ahigh performance mixer. In addition, when a concert is performed in thehall A, its recording can be performed by the recorder 223 in the studioB.

FIG. 5 shows an external appearance of the operating panel of theconsole 215 that is used in the audio system of the partial network A ofFIG. 4. Reference numeral “501” denotes 10 screen selection switches,“502” denotes a dot matrix display, “503” denotes an assigned channelstrip portion, “511” to “514” denote up, down, left, and right cursormoving buttons, “515” denotes a DEC button, “516” denotes an INC button,“517” denotes an enter key, “518” denotes a wheel, “519” denotes atouchpad, “520” denotes a left button, and “521” denotes a right button.The assigned channel strip portion 503 includes 24 assigned channelstrips 503-1 to 503-24. One assigned channel strip (for example, 503-1)includes a CUE switch 531, an electric fader 532, an ON switch 533, anda selection (SEL) switch 534. Each of the other assigned channel strips503-2 to 503-24 has the same configuration.

When one of the screen selection switches 501 is turned on, an editingscreen for editing a variety of parameters corresponding to the switchis displayed. When a channel group to be assigned to the channel strips503-1 to 503-24 is selected using layer switches 551 and 552 and 561 to564 that will be described later, a screen for the assigned channels isdisplayed, while the screen selection switches 501 are used for otherscreen switching. On/off operators such as check boxes and switches forchanging states of corresponding on/off parameters or value inputoperators such as faders, list buttons, and knobs for changingcorresponding parameter values are displayed on the editing screen. Acursor displayed on the screen can be moved to a desired on/off operatoror a desired value input operator using the cursor moving buttons 511 to514 and the state or value of a parameter corresponding to the operatorcan be changed by operating the DEC button 515, the INC button 516, andthe wheel 518. Most parameters are activated immediately when they arechanged. However, this is not true for some parameters such as a patchsetting-related parameter which heavy processes are used for changing.These parameters are activated when the enter key 517 is operated aftera change is made to the parameters. This change is canceled if the enterkey 517 is not operated. A mouse pointer is also displayed on thescreen. The mouse pointer can be moved using the touchpad 519. Turningon the left button when the mouse pointer coincides with a value inputoperator on the screen brings the value input operator into a selectedstate, which has the same effect as when the cursor coincides with thevalue input operator. Dragging the mouse pointer while keeping the leftbutton on can increase or decrease a parameter value corresponding tothe value input operator. Turning on/off the left button when the mousepointer coincides with an on/off operator on the screen can reverse theon/off state of a parameter corresponding to the on/off operator.

When one of the layer switches 551 to 552 and 561 to 564 is turned on,24 channels corresponding to the layer switch are assigned to theassigned channel strips 503-1 to 503-24. The following is a detailedexample. When the partial network A is selected as a control targetusing switches 571 to 576 that will be described later, the layer switch561 is used to assign a layer of the 1st to 24th input channels (A1) ofFIG. 4, the layer switch 562 is used to assign a layer of the 25th to48th input channels (A3), and the layer switch 563 is used to assign alayer of the 49th to 72nd input channels. The layer switches 551 and 552are used to assign the 1st to 12th output channels (A1) and the 25th to48th output channels (A4), respectively. In this manner, a channel groupof each layer is limited to channels that are implemented by one node.This system does not incorporate the 13th to 24th output channels sincethe node A1 performs processes of only the 12 channels. When the layerswitch 561 is turned on, the 1st to 24th input channels are assigned tothe assigned channel strips 503-1 to 503-24, respectively, to performcontrol of parameters (in addition to the signal level) associated withthe assigned channels.

Reference numeral “541” denotes a login/logout button and “542” denotesa currently logged-in user name display region. When the login/logoutbutton 541 is turned on when no one has logged in using the console, alogin screen (see FIG. 6 c) is displayed on the display 502 to allow auser to log in by entering a user name and password. The user name ofthe logged-in user is displayed on the display region 542. When thelogin/logout button 541 is turned on when no user has logged in, alogout check screen is displayed. The user can log out by expressing adesire to permit the logout on the check screen.

Scene-related operators 543 to 547 will now be described. The term“scene” (or scene data) refers to a combination of parameter data items(for example, connection states between input lines and input channels,connection states between output lines and output channels, parametervalues set in the channels, etc.) used to specify setting states of themixer. In this system, each of the nodes included in the audio system ofeach partial network includes a current memory that stores parametersused to control operations of the node. A master console that controlsthe partial network includes a nonvolatile current memory that storesparameters of the current memories of all the nodes. Each partialnetwork registers and manages nodes included in the partial network in acurrent memory of its master console. When a parameter value set in thecurrent memory of the console is changed according to an operation bythe user, the console notifies all nodes, which are controlled by theparameter in the corresponding audio system, of the parameter valuechange. Upon receiving the notification, the nodes are activated tochange the parameter value in their current memories according to thenotification. Each of the nodes included in the audio system of eachpartial network includes a scene memory that can store a plurality ofscenes of parameters contained in a current memory of the node. A masterconsole that controls each partial network includes a nonvolatile scenememory that stores data of the scene memories of all the nodes. Avariety of parameter data indicating setting states of an audio systemconstructed on the partial network, which is contained in each currentmemory, can be stored in a corresponding scene memory after assigning ascene number to the variety of parameter data. Conversely, a scenenumber can be specified to recall a scene from each scene memory to acorresponding current memory. Specifically, the user selects a scenenumber using the up button 546 and the down button 547 while viewing thescene number displayed on the display portion 543 and then recalls ascene of the scene number by depressing the recall button 545. Inaddition, a scene number is selected and the store button 544 isdepressed to store currently set parameter values as a scene of theselected scene number. The user can perform the same operations using anup button, a down button, a recall button, a store button on astore/recall screen (described later) that is displayed on the display502 by operating a scene editing screen switch among the screenselection switches 501.

The scene number display portion 543 displays information indicating apartial network, which is a current scene control target of the console,and a scene number of a currently recalled scene. In this system, forexample, the audio system of the partial network A can use the functionsof the nodes the other partial networks B, C, and D as described above.In this case, the audio system registers specific nodes of the otherpartial networks which it is desired to use, as nodes included in theaudio system, in the master console, so that areas which store data ofcurrent and scene memories of the specific nodes are defined andinitialized in the current and scene memories of the master console anddata of the current and scene memories of the specific nodes are alsoinitialized. Thereafter, the current and scene memories of the specificnodes follow a change in the current and scene memories of the masterconsole in the same manner as the current and scene memories of othernodes included in the system follow. Specifically, when a change is madeto data of the current or scene memory of the master console, the changeis also reflected in the current and scene memories of the specificnodes of the other partial networks. When the master console is operatedto store a scene, the master console stores parameters of its currentmemory in a specified scene area in the scene memory and transmits thestore event to the nodes of the system (including the specific nodes ofthe other partial networks). Each node which has received the storeevent stores parameters of its current memory in a specified scene areain the scene memory. On the other hand, when the master console isoperated to recall a scene, the master console recalls parameters of aspecified scene in its scene memory to the current memory and transmitsthe recall event to its nodes (including the specific nodes of the othernetwork). Each node which has received the recall event recallsparameters of a specified scene in its scene memory to the currentmemory. In this manner, the nodes included in the system collectivelyperform scene storage and recall in synchronization with scene storageand recall of the master console. Accordingly, the scene number display543 displays information indicating a partial network (or a combinationof a plurality of partial networks) which is a current scene controltarget of the console and a scene number as a set including theinformation and the scene number. The scene will be described in moredetail with reference to screens of FIGS. 7 a and 7 b.

Reference numeral “550” denotes a group of switches for selecting apartial network which is a current control target of the console and forselecting a layer of the partial network. “571” to “576” denote switchesfor specifying an audio system of a partial network that is a controltarget of the console among an audio system of a partial networkcorresponding to the console and audio systems of other partial networksconnected to the corresponding partial network through the connectionnetwork. Symbols “A” to “F” of these switches denote the partialnetworks. The switches of “A” to “D” are used and the switches of “E”and “F” are not used in the configuration of FIG. 2. By turning on aswitch for a partial network other than the corresponding partialnetwork, it is possible to control an audio system of the partialnetwork using the console. In this case, current and scene memories ofthe audio system of the partial network other than the correspondingpartial network in addition to the current and scene memories of theaudio system of the corresponding partial network are provided in theconsole. “561” to “564” denote input channel layer switches forspecifying which input channel layer is to be controlled in the audiosystem of a partial network that is selected as a current controltarget. In addition, output layer selection switches 551 and 552 areused to select an output channel layer to be controlled in the currentlyselected partial network. A larger number of these switches may beprovided according to the number of control target partial networks orthe number of layers.

A user who logs in through the console has a predetermined authority,which includes authority information of partial networks that can beoperated by the user. Accordingly, for example when the user has theauthority to operate the partial networks A, B, and C and has noauthority to operate the partial networks D, E, and F, the partialnetwork selection buttons 574 to 576 are disabled. A range of partialnetworks which each user can control using their console can be setwithin their authority. This control range setting will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 10. LEDs provided in selection buttons ofpartial networks that are not permitted to be operated by the userauthority or the controllable range setting are turned off to indicatethat they cannot be operated. LEDs of selection switches that can beoperated are dimly lit and, when the selection switches are turned on,their LEDs are brightly lit.

By operating the operators or the like of the channel strip portion 503,it is possible to change parameters of a layer of specific channels ofthe audio system of the current selected partial network using thechannel strips 503-1 to 503-24. Here, since the original of a currentmemory that stores a variety of parameters is present in the masterconsole of the audio system, the master console of the audio system isnotified of a parameter value change operation performed on any console.When receiving the notification, the master console changes acorresponding parameter value of its current memory and transmits theparameter value change event to a corresponding node in the audiosystem. When receiving the event, the node changes a correspondingparameter value in its current memory. When it is necessary to transmita signal through a partial network or the connection network due tosetting for line connection or routing from an input channel to a mixingbus in the input or output patch, the master console requests the masternode to determine a transmission channel of the partial network or theconnection network and then sets a variety of parameters fortransmission of an audio signal using the transmission channel in itscurrent memory and also transmits the parameter value change event toeach node associated with the transmission. Each node which has receivedthe event also changes a corresponding parameter value set in itscurrent memory, thereby implementing the set line connection or routing.

A variety of data stored in current and scene memories of a masterconsole in each audio system is master data (the original) and a varietyof data stored in current and scene memories of the other devices in theaudio system is slave data that is changed in synchronization with themaster data when the master data is changed. As described above, thecurrent and scene memories of the console are nonvolatile. When controlof the system using the master console is initiated for example as thepower of the system is turned on, the variety of data stored in thecurrent and scene memories of the master console is transmitted to thecorresponding nodes before the system control is initiated and thecurrent and scene memories of each node of the audio system aresynchronized with the data of the master console. Thereafter, when theuser has performed an operation, first, the master data of the masterconsole is changed and the change event is then transmitted to each nodeof the system and each node changes its slave data according to thechange event. The purpose of placing the master data in the masterconsole in this embodiment is to prevent control competition betweendevices which often occurs when the data is distributed over a pluralityof devices and also to increase the control response to operations ofthe master console.

A fail safe function used when a malfunction has occurred in the consolewill now be described. When a malfunction has occurred in the console asshown in FIG. 5, the system of this embodiment can replace the consolewith another console in the same partial network or a console on anotherpartial network connected through the connection network. The followingis an overview of a procedure when the console is replaced. First, theorder in which the master console is replaced with slave consoles of thesystem when a malfunction has occurred in the master console ispreviously registered. Specifically, the console replacement isperformed sequentially in the registered order in such a manner that,when a malfunction has occurred in the master console, the masterconsole is first replaced with a first registered slave console and,when a malfunction has occurred in the slave console, the slave consoleis replaced with a second registered slave console, and so on. When thesystem is in operation, each slave console checks at predetermined timeintervals whether or not a master console of the system is present onthe network system. If no master console is present and the nextreplacement console present on the system is that slave console, theslave console is raised to the status of the master node and startsoperation of the master console of the system. If the next replacementconsole is a different slave console, the slave console notifies thedifferent slave console that no master console is present and the slaveconsole which has received the notification is then raised to the statusof the master console. Even when the master console becomes absent,information stored in the current and scene memories of each node of thesystem is not changed so that the operation of each device is keptunchanged. Thus, the master console is replaced with a replacementconsole while the operation of each device is kept unchanged.

FIG. 6 a illustrates an example of an input patch setting screen. Thisscreen is displayed, for example, when the selection button 571 of thepartial network A on the console of FIG. 5 has been turned on and aspecific operation has been performed to instruct setting of the inputpatch. Setting of nodes to which the channels of the input channelpotions 407 and 408 of FIG. 4 are to be assigned is performed on adifferent setting screen. An indicator “611” in the input patch settingscreen of FIG. 6 a indicates that this is a screen for performing patchsetting of the 9th to 12th input channels. The input channels can beswitched to other input channels on a 4-channel basis by turning on aright-facing triangular arrow or a left-facing triangular arrow on theindicator 611. Areas “612” to “615” show respective input patch settingsof the 9th to 12th input channels. For example, “612” shows lineconnection of an input signal from an input port 3 of the node A3 of thepartial network A to the 9th input channel. As shown by “614”, it isalso possible to assign an input port of a node of another partialnetwork C if the node belongs to the system. FIG. 6 b illustrates ascreen 602 for performing output patch setting.

Setting information associated with line connection of the input oroutput patch is stored only in the current memory of the master console(and the slave console). Parameters of each node associated with theline connection of the system are produced based on the settinginformation and are then stored in the current memory of the masterconsole. The parameters of each node are also transmitted to each nodeto be set in the node. For example, when the line connection isperformed within one node as shown by “613”, parameters of the nodealone are produced and, when the line connection is performed throughthe partial network as shown by “612”, parameters of both thetransmitting and receiving-side nodes are produced and, when the lineconnection is performed through the partial network and the connectionnetwork as shown by “614”, not only parameters of the transmitting andreceiving-side nodes but also parameters of the relay node are produced.The parameters also include parameters for implementing line connectionwithin the node such as parameters associated with transmission of thesignal bus 115 or a microprogram provided to the DSP of the DSP card.

FIG. 6 c illustrates an example of a login screen 603 that is displayedwhen the login/logout button 541 on the console is turned on. A username input display area 631, a password input area 632, and an OK button633 are provided on the screen. When a user name and a password areentered on this screen, an authentication process is performed based onuser account information stored in the master console of the system.When the authentication is successful, the system can be used with anauthority indicated by authority information included in the useraccount information.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate an example of a screen for storing andrecalling scene data. In the system of this embodiment, scene can bestored or recalled over a plurality of networks according to theauthority of the user.

FIG. 7 a illustrates an example of a screen for storing/recalling ascene in one partial network A. Reference numeral “711” is an indicatorthat data of a current store/recall target scene memory is associatedwith the partial network A. The indicator 711 includes a list box. Ifthe user clicks a downward arrow on the right side of the indicator 711,a list of partial networks within a range that the user can controlthrough the console and combinations of these partial networks isdisplayed so that the user can select one option from the displayedlist. For example, when the controllable range includes “A”, “B”, and“C”, a list of 7 options “A”, “B”, “C”, “A,B”, “A,C”, “B,C”, and “A,B,C”is displayed. “712” denotes a list of scenes in the mixer system of thecurrently selected partial network A. “No.” denotes a scene number. Ifthe user places the cursor 713 at a scene number using the cursor movingbuttons 714 and 715 and turns on the store button 716, a set ofparameter values set in the nodes of the partial network A at thatmoment is stored as a scene of the scene number at which the cursor 713is placed. “Preset*” denotes a file of a set of parameter values that isstored as a scene, where “*” is a number 1, 2, 3, . . . , indicating apreset number. When the store button 716 is turned on with the cursorbeing located at a scene number, regardless of whether or not “Preset*”is displayed, a preset number Preset* of a last recalled file, isassigned to the scene number if parameter values of the current memoryhave not been changed from those of the last recalled file Preset*,while a new preset number * is assigned to the scene and a correspondingfile Preset* is created to store a set of the parameter values of thecurrent memory if the parameter values of the current memory have beenchanged from those of the last recalled file Preset*. When the userperforms a store operation, a corresponding file Preset* is stored inthe scene memory of the master console of the system and information ofthe store operation is transferred to each node of the system andcorresponding ones of the parameters of the file Preset* are stored inthe scene memory of each node. The association between the scene numbersand the files Preset* is also stored in the scene memories of the masterconsole and nodes of the system. In this example, a scene of the audiosystem of the partial network is stored. Therefore, for example whensetting of a line connection through the connection network as shown by“614” of FIG. 6 a has been performed, it is ignored without being savedwith the store operation on the screen of FIG. 7 a. If the cursor 713 isset to a scene number of the list 712 and the recall button 717 is thenturned on, a set of parameters of a file Preset* of a correspondingscene of the scene memory is recalled to the current memory of themaster console of the system and information of the recall operation istransferred to each node of the system and then corresponding ones ofthe parameters of the file Preset* of the scene in the scene memory ofeach node is recalled to the current memory of the node.

FIG. 7 b illustrates an example of a scene store/recall screen 702 wherethe controllable range includes the partial networks A and B. “721”denotes an indicator that data of current store/recall target scenememories is associated with the partial networks A and B. A scene list722 arranges and displays combinations of Preset* of the partial networkA and Preset* of the partial network B in rows along with their scenenumbers. If the cursor 713 is set to a scene number and the store button716 is then turned on, parameters set in the partial networks A and B atthat moment are stored as respective preset files Preset* of the partialnetworks A and B. For each of the partial networks, a preset numberPreset* of a last recalled file is assigned to the scene number ifparameter values of the current memory have not been changed from thoseof the last recalled file Preset*, while a new preset number * isassigned to the scene and a corresponding file Preset* is created tostore a set of the parameter values of the current memory if theparameter values of the current memory have been changed from those ofthe last recalled file Preset*. When the user performs a storeoperation, a corresponding file Preset* of each partial network isstored in the scene memory of the system and information of the storeoperation is transferred to each node of the system. In addition,corresponding ones of the parameters of the file Preset* of the partialnetwork A are stored in the scene memory of each node of the partialnetwork A, while corresponding ones of the parameters of the filePreset* of the partial network B are stored in the scene memory of eachnode of the partial network B. The file Preset* of each partial networkincludes information of transmission channels of each partial networkand the connection network set at that moment. In addition, theassociation between the scene numbers and the files Preset* of thepartial networks A and B is also stored in the scene memories of themaster console and nodes of the systems of the partial networks A and B.A description of a recall operation will be given with reference to FIG.11.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure performed when aninstruction is issued through a console in the case where a function ofanother node of a partial network or a function of a node of anotherpartial network through the connection network is used. This procedureis to implement the processes described above in the cases (1-1) to(1-3) in the input patch 406 of FIG. 4. Here, a description will begiven of a procedure where new line connection setting is performed onthe input patch setting screen of FIG. 6 a.

When receiving a line connection event, the master console determines atstep 801 whether or not both nodes including a transmitter and areceiver of an audio signal, which will also be referred to astransmitting and receiving-side nodes, are within the same partialnetwork. If the nodes of the transmitter and receiver are within thesame partial network, the master console determines at step 802 whetheror not the transmitter and the receiver of the audio signal are withinthe same node. If the transmitter and the receiver are within the samenode, for example, when the setting 613 in FIG. 6 a is performed, themaster console sets line connection parameters of the node in itscurrent memory at step 803 and transmits a parameter change event to thenode at step 804. Upon receiving the change event, the node changes itsin-node line connection parameters associated with the line connection.Line connection within one node is implemented in this manner.

If it is determined at step 802 that the transmitter and the receiverare not within the same node, for example, when the setting 612 in FIG.6 a is performed, the master console negotiates, at step 811, with amaster node in the partial network which includes the transmitting andreceiving-side nodes to assign a transmission channel. The masterconsole sets, at step 812, respective line connection parameters of thetransmitting and receiving-side nodes in the current memory of themaster console and transmits, at step 813, respective parameter changeevents to the transmitting and receiving-side nodes. Upon receiving thechange event, the transmitting-side node changes its in-node lineconnection parameters and its transmitting-side parameters of partialnetwork line connection associated with the line connection. Uponreceiving the change event, the receiving-side node changes itsreceiving-side parameters of partial network line connection and itsin-node line connection parameters associated with the line connection.Line connection through one partial network is implemented in thismanner.

If it is determined at step 801 that the transmitting and receiving-sidenodes are not within the same partial network, for example, when thesetting 614 in FIG. 6 a is performed, the master console negotiates, atstep 821, with the master node of the partial network including thetransmitting-side node to assign a transmission channel. The masterconsole then negotiates, at step 822, with the connection master of theconnection network to assign a transmission channel. The master consolethen negotiates, at step 823, with a master node of a partial networkincluding the receiving-side node to assign a transmission channel. Themaster console then sets, at step 824, respective line connectionparameters of the transmitting-side node, the receiving-side node, and arelay node in the current memory of the master console. The masterconsole then transmits, at step 825, a parameter change event to each ofthe transmitting and receiving-side nodes and the relay node. Uponreceiving the change event, the transmitting-side node changes itsin-node line connection parameters and its transmitting-side parametersof partial network line connection associated with the line connection.Upon receiving the change event, the receiving-side node changes itsreceiving-side parameters of partial network line connection and itsin-node line connection parameters associated with the line connection.Upon receiving the change event, each relay node sets parameters forrelay between the corresponding partial networks and the connectionnetwork. Line connection of two partial networks is implemented in thismanner.

FIG. 9 a illustrates a regular-interval console check procedure thateach slave console repeatedly performs at predetermined time intervals.At step 901, each slave console checks the master console of the system.If the master console operates normally at step 902, the slave consoleterminates the procedure'. If the master console operates abnormally,the slave console determines, at step 903, whether or not it is thefirst replacement console (i.e., the highest-order console) amongconsoles present on the system. If it is the first replacement console,the slave console performs a process for raising it to the status of themaster console at step 904 and starts operation of the master console atstep 905. If it is determined at step 903 that it is not the firstreplacement console, the slave console notifies the first replacementslave console of the absence of the master console at step 906. Theslave console which has received the notification starts operation ofthe master console by performing the same processes as those of theabove steps 904 and 905. Alternatively, the master console may detectits malfunctioning and then instruct a slave console to serve as amaster.

FIG. 9 b illustrates a procedure performed when the user explicitlyperforms a master console switching operation on a console. This masterconsole switching is performed at any console of the audio system. Theconsole detects all consoles on the system at step 911. Then, theconsole determines, at step 912, whether or not any console other thanthe console is present. The console terminates the procedure if no otherconsole is present, i.e., when the console as a master node determinesthat any console other than the master node is not present on thesystem. If any console or consoles other than the console are present,the console displays a list of the detected consoles at step 913 andperforms master console switching according to a selection operation ofthe user at step 914.

FIG. 10 a illustrates a procedure where the user performs an operationfor instructing the audio system to register each device on the masterconsole. FIG. 10 b illustrates a screen for the registration. When theuser performs a specific operation on the master console, theregistration screen of FIG. 10 b is displayed. A list of partialnetworks that can be controlled on the console is displayed on theregistration screen 1010 as denoted by “1011” to “1013” to allow thelogged-in user to determine a controllable range according to theirauthority. For each of the partial network, a list of nodes and consolesconnected to the partial network is also displayed with their checkboxes. Turning on an OK button 1020 after checking the check boxesactivates the procedure of FIG. 10 a, so that the checked nodes andconsoles of the partial networks are registered as a controllable range.Nodes that have already been registered on another audio system may begrayed out on the registration screen of FIG. 10 b so that they cannotbe registered.

In the procedure of FIG. 10 a, first, the master console updatescontrollable range data indicating the controllable range of the audiosystem based on the setting of registration screen of FIG. 10 b. If itis determined at step 1002 that the controllable range has been reduced,the master console releases a data area of a node or console, which hasbeen unchecked on the registration screen, in the current memory of themaster console at step 1003. If it is determined at step 1004 that thecontrollable range has been increased, the master console creates a dataarea of a node or console, which has been checked on the registrationscreen, in the current memory of the master console at step 1005. Themaster console expands or shrinks the functions of the audio systembased on the setting of the registration screen at step 1006.

FIG. 11 illustrates a procedure that the master console performs when aninstruction to recall a scene has been issued. In the followingdescription, it is assumed that the scene that an instruction to recallhas been issued requires that a connection transmission channel beassigned. It is also assumed that a scene of a combination of a presetfile “Preset” of the partial network A and a preset file “Preset” of thepartial network B is recalled. As described above with reference to FIG.7 b, a preset file of each partial network includes information oftransmission channels used in the partial network and the connectionnetwork.

First, at step 1101, the master console recalls the preset file of thepartial network A of the scene that has been instructed to be recalledto the current memory. At step 1102, the master console recalls thepreset file of the partial network B of the scene that has beeninstructed to be recalled to the current memory. At step 1103, themaster console determines whether or not transmission channels of thepartial and connection networks set in the preset file of each of thepartial networks A and B are currently not in use. If they are not inuse, the master console secures the transmission channels of the partialnetworks A and B and the connection network at step 1104 and transmits arecall event to each node of the system at step 1105. If thetransmission channels are currently in use, the master consolenegotiates with the master node of each of the partial networks and theconnection network to assign transmission channels at step 1106. Then,the master console updates parameters associated with transmissionchannels in the current memory based on the assigned transmissionchannels at step 1107 and transmits a recall event and a parameterchange event to each node of the system at step 1108. Although FIG. 11illustrates that the processes of steps 1103 to 1108 are collectivelyperformed for the partial networks and the connection network, theprocesses of steps 1103 to 1108 are actually performed individually foreach of the networks. For example, if the transmission channel of thepartial network A is not in use while the transmission channel of thepartial network B is in use, steps 1104 and 1105 are performed for thepartial network A while steps 1106 to 1108 are performed for the partialnetwork B. In this method, if the transmission channels used when thescene was saved are not in use, the scene is recalled without alterationand, if the transmission channels are in use, the scene is recalled byassigned new transmission channels and changing the transmissionchannels for use to the assigned transmission channels. This methodmakes it possible to implement recall of a scene which requires thattransmission channels be assigned, regardless of availability oftransmission channels. This method also achieves high-speed recall sinceit is only necessary to recall parameters of the scene as they were ifthe transmission channels used when the scene was saved are available.

Each node may include different numbers of slots as is denoted by “ . .. ” in the card I/O unit 105 of FIG. 1. In addition, the same functionssuch as Ain, Aout, and DSP as those implemented by the cards installedin the slots may be fixedly provided in each node. In this case, thefunctions are incorporated into the board of the engine 100 and cardshaving the same functions are not installed in the slots althoughincorporating the functions into the board is equivalent to fixedlyinstalling cards having the functions in some of the cards shown inFIG. 1. The display of the console may display used states oftransmission bands of the partial networks or the connection network,for example, display how much the transmission bands are in use inpercentage.

1. A method for performing line connection from a transmitter to areceiver in an audio network system including a control device and aplurality of nodes each being capable of inputting, outputting orprocessing an audio signal, and each being detachably connected to oneof a plurality of partial networks, that can work independently fromeach other, for transmission of the audio signals among the connectednodes by using transmission channels in time-divisional manner, thenodes connected to each of the partial network including a partialmaster node and a connection node, the partial master node controllingthe transmission of the audio signals within the partial network and theconnection node being connected to a connection network so as to connectthe plurality of the partial networks with each other through theconnection nodes, the connection network performing transmission of theaudio signals by using transmission channels in time-divisional mannerwithin the connection network, one of the connection nodes being aconnection master node for controlling the transmission of the audiosignals in the connection network, the method comprising steps of:displaying a connection setting screen on a display of the controldevice; accepting a user operation on the connection setting screenintending to set a connection between a transmitter and a receiver; inresponse to the user operation, in case of (1) the transmitter and thereceiver being in a same node, setting the node to route an audio signalfrom the transmitter to the receiver; in case of (2) the transmitterbeing in a first node connected to a partial network and the receiverbeing in a second node being connected to the same partial network,assigning a transmission channel of the partial network, setting thefirst node to transmit an audio signal of the transmitter in the firstnode to the partial network using the transmission channel, and settingthe second node to receive the audio signal from the partial network andprovide the signal to the receiver in the second node; in case of (3)the transmitter being in a first node connected to a first partialnetwork and the receiver being in a second node connected to a secondpartial network other than the first partial network, while a firstconnection node of the first partial network and a second connectionnode of the second partial network are connected to a connectionnetwork, assigning a first transmission channel of the first partialnetwork, assigning a second transmission channel of the second partialnetwork, assigning a third transmission channel of the connectionnetwork, setting the first node to transmit an audio signal of thetransmitter in the first node to the first partial network using thetransmission channel, setting the first connection node to receive theaudio signal from the first partial network and transmit the audiosignal to the connection network using the third transmission channel,setting the second connection node to receive the audio signal from theconnection network and transmit the audio signal to the second partialnetwork using the second transmission channel, and setting the secondnode to receive the audio signal from the second partial network andprovide the signal to the receiver in the second node.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is an input port, and thereceiver is an input channel.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the transmitter is an input channel, and the receiver is amixing bus.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitteris an output channel, and the receiver is an output port.